Haredi draft

The issue of haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) in Israel not serving in the IDF has been a contentious topic for decades. 

In the current status quo established in the early days of the State of Israel, haredi yeshiva students have an exemption from serving in the IDF or partaking in Sherut Leumi (national service). However, this has caused many others in Israel to feel there is an unfair distribution of the burden of serving the country. Coupled with the low employment rates for haredim in Israel, and this has led to widespread tension against ultra-Orthodox Israelis. 

The courts have ruled that the current exemption for haredim not to serve in the army is illegal and efforts to resolve the issue are still ongoing. 

Deri to remain in Netanyahu's security cabinet, Shas's Arbel rescinds resignation

Arye Deri to remain in Netanyahu's security cabinet, despite Shas leaving government • Interior Minister Moshe Arbel to stay in role to complete 'urgent tasks'

 ARYE DERI is escorted outside his home in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen in the plenum of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 14, 2025

As Israel grieves, Netanyahu puts coalition deals ahead of national sacrifice - editorial

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the IDF’s Hasmonean Brigade training base in the Jordan Valley July 15, 2025

Netanyahu, Smotrich visit IDF haredi brigade, praises soldiers' willingness to serve

Shas head Arye Deri is seen in the plenum of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 14, 2025

Netanyahu offers to fire Edelstein for haredi parties staying in coalition


Shas spiritual council to rule on leaving Netanyahu gov't on Wednesday

The ultra-Orthodox party's council said that Wednesday's meeting comes in the wake of "severe and unacceptable harm to the status of Torah students.”

Shas faction leader MK Arye Deri seen outside the party offices in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025

Rabbis and Netanyahu’s draft‑exemption monster rips at Israel’s coalition - comment

After years of delay tactics and political bartering, the ultra‑Orthodox draft crisis has burst its cage, threatening to topple the government amid war.

 View of a United Torah Judaism party meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 9, 2025.

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 IDF soldiers operating throughout the Gaza Strip, July 9, 2025.

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The Sephardi haredi party Shas remained mum on Monday about whether or not it would join UTJ.

MK Moshe Gafni speaks in the Knesset plenum, in Jerusalem, March 25, 2025

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Israel's public broadcaster KAN News reported the claim earlier on Sunday evening, but it was later denied by a spokesperson from Deri's office.

 Shas party leader MK Arye Deri after a meeting on the haredi draft bill in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025.

Haredim cannot say God is theirs if they cut themselves off from Israel - opinion

The anathema we have built into us Jews of a poresh min hatzibbur, “one who disconnects himself or herself from the community,” is what will lead to our disconnecting from the haredi public.

 An illustrative image of haredim.

Haredi soldiers graduate from IDF's Hashmonaim Brigade, ready for combat training

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 The IDF's Hasmonean Brigade badge, for ultra-Orthodox (haredi) Jews, is seen as soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip on June 26, 2025

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 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on March 10, 2025.

Deri and Lapid clash over IDF draft law, sanctions on ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students

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A view of the Shas party offices in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025

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Yitzhak Yosef condoled the families of the five soldiers killed in Gaza's Beit Hanun in an open letter, calling for increased Torah study, implicitly denouncing haredi draft attempts.

 Shas spiritual leader and former Sephardic chief rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, seen during a weekly lecture at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, June 07, 2025; illustrative.

Haredi rabbi calls Likud MK Yuli Edelstein 'traitor' over draft law

'There’s someone in Likud who is a traitor to Israel and a scheming saboteur because he wants to rule and become prime minister,' says Butbul.

Likud MK Yuli Edelstein attends a a plenum session in the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025